Bottle-stopper.



No. 846,467. PATENTED MAR; 12, 1907.

Y A. B. HAMILTON.

BOTTLE STOPPER. .APPLIOATION rum) NOV. 11. 1906.

MJIIJIJIAWIIIZ I Wz'iness es.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADDINGTON, B. HAMILTON, OF ROSLINDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OFTWO-THTRDS TO JAMES F. OBRIEN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOTTLE-STOPPER.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented March 12, 1907.

Application filed November 17, 1906. Serial No. 343,879.

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADDINeToN B. HAMIL- TON, of Roslindale, in thecounty of Suflolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Bottle-Stoppers, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to means for preventing the fraudulent second useof a bottle and is so constructed as to permit free outflow of thecontents of the bottle, while obstructing and preventing under ordinaryconditions inflow of liquid thereto.

This device differs from previous non-refilling attachments for bottlesin that it does not absolutely prevent a second filling of the bottle,for under certain conditions it may be possible to force liquid into abottle equipped with my device and at least par- .tially fill the same,but it is impossible to pour out again the liquid so introduced.

The essential features which constitute my invention and the detailsthereof are hereinafter described and claimed and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a longitudinalsection of the neck of a bottle with the preferred form of my attachmentapplied thereto. Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the attachment. Fig.3 represents a perspective view thereof. Fig. 4 represents a section ofthe lower end of my attachment, taken online 4 4 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5represents a cross-section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 represents alongitudinal section of a modified form of valve-seat.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the neck of a bottle, which isformed at its base near the point where it merges into the body of thebottle with an internal flange 2, which forms a shoulder for supportingthe attachment. In its upper portion the neck is formed with an internalannular groove 3, by which the attachment may be locked in place. Theattachment itself consists of a substantially cylindrical plug 4 of sucha size as to be easily inserted into the neck 1 and having in its upperend a cavity 5, within which is contained a locking-pin 6. At the bottomof the cavity I place a spring 7, which is preferably a resilient massor plug of cork which allows the end of the pin 6 to be pressed inwardflush with the circumference of the plug while being inserted into theneck, and forces the pin out when the latter is adjacent the groove 3.The pin then enters the groove and locks the plug in place, and thelatter is made of a diameter so nearly the same as the interior of thebottle-neck that insertion of an instrument to retract the locking-pinis prevented. When in place; the top of the lug is a sufficient distancebelow the mouti of the bottle to permit insertion of a cork.

Resting upon the shoulder 2, between the latter and the lower end of theplug, is a ring or sleeve 8, of yielding resilient material, preferablycork, which enters a bore in the lower end of the plug and bears againsta shoulder 9 therein. The height of the cork ring is such that when theplug is in place and locked the latter bears with sufficient pressure onthe ring to form a tight joint and revent leakage of liquid around theplug.

t will be seen that the cork ring thus serves as a packing and avoidsthe necessity of making the plu so as to fit liquid-tight within theneck of the bottle. As it is very diflicult and almost impossible tomake the interior of a bottle-neck perfectly cylindrical, it will beseen that by avoiding the necessity of a true fit between the same andthe plug I have greatly reduced the expense incident to the manufactureof bottles equipped with my improvement.

Within the interior of the plug is an axial cavity or bore 10, whichextends through the lower end of the plug and terminates near the upperend, being closed thereby. The lower portion of the bore is cylindrical,while the upper portion tapers conically to a smaller diameter at itsclosed end, these portions meeting at a point 11,"where there is formedan abrupt shoulder. Slots 12 are formed in the sides of the plug,extending from the closed end of the bore to a point between the ends ofthe latter, while at intermediate points be tween the slots 12 areshorter slots 13, of which each end terminates between the ends of thebore 10. Externally of the plug are formed grooves or passages 14, whichextend longitudinally of the plug and connect by transverse passages 15with the slots 12. The slots 12 and grooves 14 he somewhat besideeachother, and the connecting-p assages make acute angles therewith, soas to prevent the insertion of a wire into the bore of the plug. Thegrooves extend entirely to the upper end of the plug, but terminateshort of the lower end, so that the course of outflowing liquid from abottle containing the plug must be through the bore, one of the slots,and one of the grooves.

Parallel with the grooves 14 and lying intermediate them are longergrooves 16, which extend as far as, but beside, the slots 13 and connectwith them by similarly acutely inclined transverse passages 16. In theform shown there are two of each of the described slots and groovesarranged, respectively, diametrically opposite eachother but it is to beunderstood that the number is not limited except by the size of the plugand that one, two, three, or more of each of the slots and grooves maybe employed. Preferably the lower limits of all the slots are on thesame transverse plane, which is some distance from the lower end of theplug.

WVithin the plug is seated a ball 18, forming a valve, and one or morelocking-balls 19. The diameter of the ball 18 is substantially that ofthe cylindrical part of bore 10, being only sulliciently less to permitfree movement of the ball, but large enough to restrict in great measureflow of liquid past the same. The cork ring 8 is formed with an internalprotuberance 20, which forms a narrow zone of less diameter than that ofthe ball 18 and is tapered to a larger diameter both above and below thesame. This protuberance or shoulder 20 serves as a seat for the ball,against which the latter rests to close the liquidpassage. Nhensullicient pressure is applied to the ball, the latter is enabled toforce the valve-seat outward by compressing the yielding cork, whereuponthe ball slips through the ring and rests upon the flange 2, as shown indotted lines in Fig. 1, the internal diameter of the latter being lessthan that of the ball.

A bottle which has never previously been used is filled before insertingthe stopper. The latter is then inserted in the manner described and asshown in Fig. 1, the ball 18 being then above the valve-seat 20. Inpouring the contents from the bottle the latter must be inclined withits mouth below the horizontal, whereupon the ball or balls 19 roll intothe tapered part of the bore and the valve 18 separates as far from theseat as it is permitted by the balls 19 or shoulder 11. This issufficient to carry it somewhat beyond the lower or inner limits of theslots 12 and 13. Thereby the liquid is enabled to flow out through thelowermost slot 12 and passages 14 15, while the air flows in through theuppermost groove 16, passage 17, and short slot 13. The position of thelatter enables the air to be carried back into the bottle a considerabledistance before meeting the outflowing liquid, so that the passage ofthe air and liquid by each other takes place in the widest part of thestopper-bore and not in one of the narrower passages. Thereby a flow isobtained which is as free as could be given by a bottle having its neckthe size of the internal flange 2that is, the flow with the plug inplace is as free in a bottle constructed as described as without theplug.

Whenever the bottle is held with its axis horizontal or even with itsmouth a little below the horizontal, the inclination of the taperedsides of the bore 10 causes the lockingballs to roll back and carry theball-valve into the part 21 of the plug. It fits this portion of theplug so closely that while it can roll freely therein it will preventleakage of liquid therethrough except when a comparatively high pressureis used. Thus it is impossible to lill the bottle by simply immersing itin a quantity of liquid, for the reason that when the bottle is nearenough the horizontal to allow any appreciable quantity of liquid toflow in the ball-valve will move itself or be pushed into position toclose the passage. The only other way to force liquid in is by usingpressure; but any force appre ciably greater than that of the atmosphereon the outer side of the ball will push it directly against thevalve-seat, against which it is held with a force proportional to thatof the pressure in the liquid attempting to enter. In case asufliciently strong pressure is employed to cause liquid to flow betweenthe ball and the seat 20 the latter will yield and allow the ball toslip by into the space between this seat and the flange 2. Thereafter ifan attempt is made to pour liquid out which may have flowed in past thevalve the latter will close against the rear side of the seat 20 andeilectually prevent any outflow. The parts are so proportioned that onlya much greater force than can be secured by shaking the bottle or by anypressure possible to be obtained inside the bottle is necessary to makethe ball slip by its seat. Therefore, even though liquid under certaincircumstances may be put into the bottle after it has been emptied once,the bottle cannot under any circumstances be used a second time.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modification of the cork ring, wherein thevalve-seat 20 is made with a tapered bevel above a square shoulder belowthe most restricted portion. Other modifications of a similar charactermay be made and are contemplated as being within the scope of myinvention.

In order to get the greatest possible inclination of taper on the upperpart of the bore 10, as well as to obtain the maximum weight of thelocking-balls 19, I make the diameter of the latter as nearly aspossible the same as the diameter of the bore at its closed end. If

the bore were made larger at this point, the inclination would not be asgreat as possible, while if it were made smaller the ball 19 could notmove far enough away to allow of the ball-valve 18 uncovering the slots12 and 13-that is, without being made of so small a mass as to haveinsuflicient weight. The diameters of the ball and bore being asdescribed, therefore, it is necessary to carry the slots 12 entirely tothe closed end of the latter in order to admit air above the lockingballwhen the bottle is turned upright. If the slots were not carried thusfar, a closed pocket would be formed in the plug, which when the latteris wet would hold. the locking-ball 19 by reason of the vacuum thereinand would prevent proper action of the locking-ball.

I claim 1. In combination with a bottle, a valve, and a seat againstwhich the valve closes in obstructing inflow of liquid to the bottle;said seat being yieldable to permit displacement of the valve underpressure and adapted to prevent subsequent opening of the valve,

whereby escape of liquid which may enter the bottle under such pressureis prevented.

2. In combination with a bottle, a valveseat and a valve within the neckof the bottle; the valveseat being yieldable to permit inward. movementof the valve and inflow of liquid past the same, under pressure; andadapted to grip the valve to prevent outflow of the liquid.

3. In. combination with a bottle, a ballvalve, and an elastic valve-seatslightly less in diameter at its most restricted point than the ball andenlarged below such point; whereby the valve-seat is adapted to yieldwhen external pressure is applied and permit displacement of the valveinto a position below the seat to prevent discharge of liquid in thebottle.

4. In combination with a bottle, an elastic ring located. within theneck of the bottle, formed with a narrow internal shoulder constitutinga valve-seat, and enlarged below such shoulder; and a ball-valve havinga greater diameter than said valve-seat, normally adapted to lie abovethe same, but adapted to be crowded by pressure past the seat, and bybearing against the inner side of the latter, to prevent discharge ofliquid from the bottle.

5. In combination with a bottle, an elastic ring located within the neckof the bottle, formed with a narrow internal shoulder constituting avalve-seat, and enlarged below such shoulder; and a ball-valve having agreater diameter than said valve-seat, normally adapted to lie above thesame, but adapted to be crowded by pressure past the seat, and bybearing against the inner side of the latter, to prevent discharge ofliquid from the bottle 5 the bottle-neck having an internal flange ofless diameter than the ball-valve, to support the valve when the latteris crowded past the seat.

6. In combination with a bottle having an internal flange or shoulder inits neck; a plug formed with an internal cavity, external pasthepassages, adapted to reside within the bottle-neck; an elasticpacking-ring between the inner end of the plug and said flange having anarrow internal zone of restricted diameter; and a ball within thecavity of the plug of slightlygreater diameter than said zone andshoulder; said ring preventing leakage of liquid around the plug andserving as a seat for the ball whereby to close the passage through thebottle-neck.

8. In combination with a bottle having an internal flange or shoulder inits neck adjacent the base thereof, and an internal groove near themouth; a plug formed with an internal cavity, external passages, and

slots opening from said cavity to the passages,

adapted to residewithin the bottle-neck; a pin contained in a recess inthe outer end of said plug adapted to be projected into said groove toretain the plug in place; a compressible resilient medium in such recessfor so projecting the pin; an elastic packing-ring between the inner endof the plug and said flange; and a ball within the cavity of the plug;said ring preventing leakage of liquid around the plug and serving as aseat for the ball whereby to close the passage through the bottle-neck.

9. A device for preventing a second use of a bottle, consisting of aplug adapted to reside in a bottle-neck, having slots in its sides andan internal cavity open at one end; the cavity being cylindricaladjacent the open end and tapered to a smaller diameter toward theclosed end thereof; a ball adapted to enter the tapered portion, and alarger ball fitting closely and movably in the cylindrical portion ofthe cavity, forming a valve; and a yielding ring forming a valve-seat.

10. A device for preventing a second use of a bottle, consisting of aplug adapted to reside in a bottle-neck, having an axial bore open atone end and closed at the other end, a slot in its side extending to theclosed end of the bore, a second slot intermediate the ends .of thebore, and oflset external grooves extending from one of its ends .to theseveral slots; and a ball adapted to reside within the bore to form avalve.

11. A device for preventing a second use of a bottle, consisting of aplug adapted to reside in a bottle-neck, having external longi tudinalgrooves in its sides and a central bore extending inward from one endtoward the other end, and having also passages connecting alternategrooves with different portions of the length of said'bore; one of saidpassages opening into the bore at the inner end to permit discharge ofliquid, and another at a distance from the end thereof for inflow ofair.

12. A device for preventing a second use of a bottle, consisting of aplug adapted to reside in a bottleneck, having a bore extending axiallyinto one end and closed at the other, said bore being cylindrical at itsopen end and tapered toward the closed end; having also longitudinalexternal grooves or passages of different lengths, and slots through itssides, each'located at one side of, and con nected with, one of thegrooves by a transverse passage; the transverse passages being atdifferent distances from the closed end of the bore; a ball-valveadapted to fit movably in the cylindrical portion of the bore and touncover the slots when a bottle containing the plug is inclined with itsmouth below the horizontal; and a smaller ball adapted to enter thetapered portion of the bore and to I roll therefrom, moving theball-valve into the cylindrical portion below the slots, when the bottleis horizontal. V

13. A device for preventing a second use of a bottle, consisting of ayielding valve-seat Within the neck of the bottle; a ball-valvecooperating therewith to close the passage I therethrough; and a plugreliably secured in the bottle-neck, having a guiding-passage in linewith the valve-seat, of substantially the same diameter as the ball, andoutlets above said passage, adapted to guide the ball to the seat; theseat being adapted to yield when the ball is pressed against it, and toretain the ball.

14. A device for preventing a second use of a bottle,. consisting of ayielding valve-seat bearing against an internal shoulder within the neckof the bottle and against the sides of the neck; a ball-valvecooperating therewith to close the passage therethrough and a plugreliably secured in the bottle-neck, having a guiding-passage in linewith the valve-seat, of substantially the same diameter as the at itsend against the valve-seat to prevent leakage of liquid between itssides and the sides of the bottle-neck, the guiding-passage beingadapted to guide the ball to the seat; and the seat being adapted toyield when the ball is pressed against it, and to retain the ball.

In testimony whereof I have atlixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

ADDINGTON B. HAMILTON.

itnesses ARTHUR H. BROWN,

A. O. RATIGAN.

ball and outlets above said passage, pressing

